THE DRY POTATO SYRAYING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 8

THE DRY POTATO SYRAYING.

DEPARTURE-MADE. The necessity for spraying potatoes as a preventive against the dreaded Irish blight is now admitted on all sides, and for the successful growing of potatoes farmers are prepared to go to considerable trouble to ward off attacks of the blight. Latest information advises that a new departure has been made by the manufacture of a dry powder potato-sprayer, which has already been placed on the English market. The manufacturers assert that the method of distributing dry powder is in many districts replacing tho old method of' wet spraying, and they claim tho following advantages:—(l) No mixing whatever is required. The powder is simply emptied into tho hopper of the machine. (2) Water-carting is entirely done away with. (3) The work can be carried on in damp or even wet weather. (1) It distributes the fungicide more evenly than it is possible to distribute it iii solution, and at a reduced cost. (5) One man and one horse can do six acres of spraying an hour. (0) It avoids scalding the potato leaves in hot weather. (7) The mixing troubles are dono awav with. The machine is drawn by a single horse, and consists of a hopper, on sft. steel wheels, adjustable on the axles, for carrying the spraying powder. A powerful fan is driven from the wheels. The hopper has a rapacity for about 125 lb., anil is fitted with self-acting scraper and stirrers, which ensure regularity of feed, and it is practically water-tight. Usually four delivery spouts are provided, hut any number may bn fitted. I>y means of the fan the powder is driven out of the spouts in a cloud of fine dust, and it is claimed that nO acres be treated daily. Last year some nine, of (be.-e machines were at work in the gre.it potatogrowing districts of Lincolnshire. The machine may bo used also for dressing other crops, and, if suitable for spreading lime or soot, may be found of valuo in the Dominion for checking the ravages of the turnip fly.